Car seat for Ukrainian refugees

[Tulipomania]

We are getting ready to welcome a Ukrainian family and I need to get car booster seats. As my own kids are now well into adulthood I would appreciate some advice on what's currently required and what Mumsnetters recommend.
The children are 4 and 10 years old. Does the 10-year old need a booster seat as well?

Didn't you already ask this? Depends on height.

Depends on height. Their nationality is irrelevant

Wow some snarky answers. Sure someone will be along to answer. Good on you for helping out

Look at gov.uk for the car seat laws. Don’t take it from posters on here what the guidance is - look at the law.

No I haven't already asked this and I did a search but didn't find anything relevant. Apologies for explaining the reason I need advice on this. MN used to be a place to get friendly advice but it seems not any more.

Under 135cm needs car seat. Unlikely 10yo is still that short but may be. Which is the best place to find which car seat to get imo.

Thanks Movetothebeat it seems I need to check the height and weight of the older child?

Explaining the reason makes it sound like you’re angling for donations, I think that’s why you’ve got the shirty response.

I'll just make this absolutely clear. I can easily get a 2nd hand car seat locally through any number of excellent FB support groups for refugees locally, but I have decided to buy a new one with my own money because luckily I can afford it and they do not seem to be very expensive. But I want to make sure I am not making a mistake getting the wrong one. And I hope this is not considered a stealth boast that I can afford to buy a new car seat. FFS.

Actually, thinking about it, last time I checked other countries in Europe had different laws - for eg. France keeps legal requirement for car seat up to 150cm. I wonder if it's worth checking Ukrainian law because it would be horrible for the mum if she came here expecting her older one to still be in a car seat and felt they were unsafe if not? Are you in contact and can you ask her about it and what her expectations are?

Yes that’s correct. It really depends on the child and not their age. For the younger child you do need a proper car seat but do look at gov.uk as it explains all the requirements.

Way to ruin someone's Saturday morning ...

There seems to be a wide range of booster seats from £12 to £35 online - does it matter which one I get? Is there a particular brand that is good?

I can afford it and they do not seem to be very expensive a good one for the 4 year old would be.

I am checking the height of the oldest child.

Last time I bought one for my youngest it was near £100 and that was 4 years ago. Do you have a which sub?

I'm not sure what you are looking at for that price. £200 is more typical for a good quality high back booster, although there are cheaper options.

You need a high back booster for the 4yo, should be more than £35! 10yo might well be between our 135cm limit and other countries' 150cm limit so best to ask.

John Lewis has a useful guide to car seats.

www.johnlewis.com/buying-guides/car-seats-buying-guide

Hope this helps
www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

I personally recommend joie as a brand, it's what we have used for our four year old and have had no issues

Children in the UK need a booster seat until they’re 135cm or 12 years old, whichever comes first. Booster seats for the highest age group are only about £10 so I would just buy one to be prepared and if you don’t need it either return it or pass it on to another charity or family helping refugees.

For the older one where it won’t be a backed booster and likely won’t be needed long I would just get a cheap one unless you’re doing very long journeys. I would probably go at least mid-range for the younger child though, they will be in the seat for longer and as a younger child need more protection. I think a four-year-old will still need a high backed seat, not just the booster cushion style.

Is this one good, it says it is suitable for a 4 year old?

www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/child-car-seats/halfords-cushioned-booster-seat-389486.html?_gl=11f0kqwp_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy-aykdSp9wIViK3tCh3k4w-eEAAYASABEgKYxPD_BwE

I suspect people were thinking that. It did sound like a genuine question from you, but I've noticed on the local free things fb site the people that are always after things (you know "45" TV urgently needed, must be gold plated, and need delivered") are adding to their posts "for my Ukrainian refugees arriving tomorrow"
One of them I know for a fact sells everything on.

I think if you can borrow a booster seat fir the 10yo to meet them, then assess once they're here.

We have Britax Kidfix which was the Which Best Buy at the time. It's good, lightweight and comfy. Also safe.

looks like I need to find out the weight of the 4 year old too. I am trying to minimise the difficult questions I ask the family as they have a lot of stress at the moment and their English is not goof.

I thought a booster seat would be enough but it seems not. So thanks to those who have provided useful advice.